Severe wildfires are currently spreading throughout Greece and other parts of Europe, causing destruction to homes and endangering natural habitats. This is the third instance of extreme temperatures causing such wildfires this summer. The European Union has provided assistance by sending two firefighting planes from Spain to Tunisia, following the recent wildfires in Algeria that claimed the lives of at least 34 people. The peak of Greece's summer tourist season has been disrupted by two weeks of wildfires fueled by scorching temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds. On the island of Rhodes, which was hit the worst, almost 20,000 people - mostly tourists - had to evacuate their hotels within one day. This was the biggest evacuation ever carried out in Greece. As a result, a state of emergency has been declared in some areas of Rhodes, which is a popular tourist destination.
According to officials, although the wildfires that have ravaged Greece for over two weeks are now under control, more than 460 firefighters are still stationed in the three areas to ensure that the major incidents are contained. The fire department confirmed on Saturday that there are no active fronts in the three biggest wildfires in Rhodes, Corfu, and central Greece and that scattered fire pockets are being extinguished. Despite this good news, strong winds pose a threat, and firefighters remain deployed in key hotspots as a precaution. The fires have caused immense damage, killing at least five people and destroying nearly 50,000 hectares (124,000 acres) of forest and vegetation, as estimated by the Athens Observatory. Two pilots lost their lives on Tuesday in a waterbombing plane crash while battling a blaze in Evia, while three more bodies were discovered in fires in Evia and near the industrial zone of the port city of Volos in central Greece.
According to experts, Greece experienced the longest heatwave in decades during the month of July. The temperatures were incredibly high, reaching up to 46C (115F), but have fortunately started to decrease. Unfortunately, fires have also broken out in Croatia, Italy, and Portugal this week. In Algeria, extreme heat has left the land dry, resulting in deadly blazes that have claimed the lives of 34 people.
Last week, Astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi shared some disturbing pictures on social media. These pictures showed smoke rising from the devastating wildfires in Greece and Turkey as viewed from the International Space Station (ISS). In his post, he expressed his deep concern for those affected by these wildfires and also praised the brave individuals fighting these fires. He wished for their safety and stated that his thoughts and prayers are always with them.
Photo: Twitter
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